No NFC for Apple iPhone 5 say U.K. carriers

According to a number of U.K. carriers, the Apple iPhone 5 will not have NFC (Near Field Communications) as one of the features on the device. The information apparently comes from after the carriers met with Apple executives who are waiting for a universal standard for NFC. The technlogy allows for short range communications and  would allow cellphones enabled with NFC to act as a credit card to make quick payments. The application can also be used to turn your smartphone into a ticket, like a airline boarding pass.

Some handsets, like the Samsung Galaxy S and the Galaxy S II offer NFC which is a feature of Android 2.3, and as we reported, RIM has announced that upcoming BlackBerry devices will feature the technology.

Bloomberg had earlier reported that NFC would show up in the Apple iPad 2 as well as the iPhone 5. The lack of the technology in Apple's just released tablet would seem to indicate that the next iPhone will also not feature it. The Cupertino based firm is said to be working on its own NFC system which would link payments to iTunes. That technology is expected to make it into the 2012 model of the Apple iPhone.

source: 9to5Mac